Dear Father, I have been struggling with the aftermath of a close relative's suicide a year ago. The recent tragedies within the diocese and at school have brought this all fresh to the surface again. How does one even begin to understand this tragedy, and deal with the guilt of not being able to help from preventing this? Also, I am worried about the eternal salvation of my loved one. As children we were taught that suicide was a mortal sin and one would go straight to hell if they committed this sin. What is the church's stance on this today?